The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

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Even now, Landon still couldn’t wrap his head around it. No way he’d believe Natalie was actually Andrew’s friend. But her reaction left him with egg on his face.

“Is Fairmont Systems really that impressive?” Natalie asked Gavin, her voice casual and her eyes icy with disdain.

Gavin quickly replied, respectful, “No, it’s just a small company.”

Compared to Mitchell Group, Fairmont Systems was nothing but small fry.

Landon’s eyes blazed with fury at the provocation. “Gavin, you’re simply a manager here. How dare you mock me? Believe it or not, I could make you vanish from Harbor City in no time.”

Natalie gave a knowing nod, her expression cold as ice. “So you’re nothing but a not–so–rich brat. Now scram.”

“You!” Landon exploded. Spoiled since birth, he had never been humiliated like this in his life. Especially not after he’d

thrown his name around.

Natalie hadn’t shown him the slightest respect. If anything, she had cut him down with that cold, dismissive tone.

His face turned beet red as he pointed at Natalie, nearly shaking with fury. “What the fuck did you just say? Who the hell do

you think you are, speaking to me like that?” he snapped, his voice rising.

“You’re not Mr. Mitchell’s friend. You must have used some dirty trick to get into Gavin’s bed and slip in here. A gold–digger like you still thinks she can put on airs in front of me?”

His voice was so loud that not only did his friends behind him hear every word, but even the socialites and other guests nearby couldn’t help but turn their heads. Everyone stared over, eyes wide in shock, clearly ready for the drama and

gossip.

Gavin’s face went ghostly pale, and his whole body trembled with rage. “That’s a filthy accusation. Do you even know what you’re saying right now?”

Natalie’s face went still, and her eyes turned cold enough to make the air around her seem to drop.

Landon felt her stare send a shiver right through him, icy dread crawling up his spine and straight to his head.

But he was already in too deep. With so many people watching, he couldn’t afford to back down. He forced himself to glare back, raising his voice to cover his nerves. “Got nothing to say now that I’ve exposed you? I’ve dealt with your type plenty of times.”

Natalie cocked her head with a hint of challenge, stepped right up to Landon, stopping so close their eyes were nearly

level

Landon was stunned by her sudden approach, instinctively swallowing hard. ‘Damn, she’s drop–dead gorgeous… And that scent? So fresh and so tempting.”

He assumed Natalie was just trying to cozy up to him. After all, he was loaded, influential, and easy on the eyes. Women

always acted all aloof at first, but in the end, they’d wind up in his arms.

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Chapter 45

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With Natalie’s flawless face just inches away and her crisp, alluring fragrance filling the air, Landon felt his heart flutter. His anger melted away, and his eyes started to wander, getting a bit sleazier.

But in the very next second, a heavy thud as flesh met the floor made everyone freeze in shock.

Natalie drove her foot into Landon’s stomach, sending him sprawling across the ground. She looked down at him without the slightest change in expression, contempt plain in her eyes as he curled up, clutching his stomach and grimacing in pain.

‘If force can settle it, words are a waste of time,‘ she thought.

“You… you…” Landon sputtered, barely able to force the words out.

Curled up on the ground, he clutched his stomach in agony, cold sweat beading across his face. It felt as if her kick had knocked everything inside him out of place, and every breath sent a fresh stab of pain through him.

His friends just stood there, totally stunned, but as soon as they snapped out of it, they rushed over to help Landon up.

The two girls who’d been standing nearby saw what happened and hurried over.

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Some were clutching their arms, others their sides, all of them stunned and groaning in pain. No one had even seen clearly

how she had done it.

The scene left everyone frozen in place.

Landon, still propped up by the two girls, was clutching his stomach in pain, but now he was even more stunned.

He looked at the guys sprawled out on the ground and then at Natalie. She was just standing there, cool as ice, like it was no big deal. He felt a cold shiver run straight up his spine.

Natalie glanced at the three pretending to keep their cool, her lips curling into a smirk that never reached her eyes.

The short–haired girl shakily raised her hand. “W–What are you trying to do? Don’t think I won’t call the police.”

Landon was getting scared now, too. “Yeah, there are cameras everywhere. You’re gonna get arrested.”

Natalie tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “Oh? Are there cameras here?”

She directed the question at Gavin, who shook his head firmly, not a hint of hesitation. “Nope, not a single one.”

“What the fuck?” The three of them were left at a loss for words, totally caught off guard by Gavin’s response.

Natalie walked forward calmly, taking her phone out of her pocket.

“What are you trying to do?” the girl with the high ponytail asked, swallowing hard.

Natalie gave them a sweeping glance, her tone icy. “Teach you a good lesson.”

With that, she answered the call, her gaze still fixed on Landon. “I want Fairmont Systems out of Harbor City. Now.”

“Yes,” the voice on the other end replied without a second’s hesitation.

She hung up and casually slipped her phone back into her pocket. The whole thing took less than ten seconds.

Landon was still a little confused at first, but then he cracked up, like it was the biggest joke he’d ever